Incident Involving Shooting of South Carolina Lawmaker
The individual accused of shooting a South Carolina lawmaker during a traffic stop has been identified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an undocumented immigrant with a criminal history, including deportation and felony illegal reentry convictions.
According to DHS officials, deputies from the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a report of gunfire on Johns Island shortly after 9 p.m. on February 10. Unfortunately, they couldn’t find the suspect at that time, who was later revealed to be Floribert Perez Nieto, a Mexican national.
However, just after 3 a.m. the following day, deputies received another call from the same individual, indicating that Perez Nieto had returned.
Once authorities spotted Perez Nieto’s vehicle and attempted to pull him over, he reportedly shot one of the deputies in the chest during his attempt to escape. In a rapid response, other deputies fired back, resulting in Perez Nieto being pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
DHS noted that the deputy, who was shot, was wearing a bulletproof vest, which likely prevented a more tragic fate.
“This criminal illegal alien illegally obtained a firearm and nearly killed a law enforcement officer,” remarked DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Thankfully, the officer’s bulletproof vest saved his life. It could have had a very different and tragic outcome for this officer and his family.”
The identity of the injured deputy has not been disclosed yet.
Perez Nieto had previously been arrested for illegal entry into the United States, crossing undetected by immigration officials, before being deported on February 20, 2019. Officials indicated that he later illegally reentered the country.
It remains unclear how Perez Nieto procured the firearm involved in the shooting.
The CCSO’s Professional Standards Division is set to conduct an internal investigation regarding the shooting incident. Meanwhile, the deputies involved have been placed on paid administrative leave pending further review. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was notified and is leading the investigation.
